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Charity Rises Into Seva

Charity, as we commonly know it, is an act of kindness or giving, showing compassion towards another being. In most cases the giver gives from a position of strength, with a feeling of benevolence, unconsciously looking down on the receiver. Inherent in the act do charity is the feeling of pity towards the situation of the latter. This is the Western view on charity.

The viewpoint of the Hindu scriptures is radically different. The premise of the Vedas is that all the beings are equal; no one is higher or lower, none is greater or lesser. Each being is unique and has special qualities that no other being has. Each one has a role to play. One may be financially better endowed, while as another may have greater compassion, someone else may be intellectually very bright. Travelling in rural India is a great teaching. We see people living in mud huts, but their eyes are bright and their faces smile. Can such a being be in need of charity?

Perceived in this light, the whole concept of charity undergoes a change. The scriptures look at the world with the understanding that this is an expression of God. When we say that the world is God, it means that everyone is God.

All seva should be done with the attitude that I am serving God, not helping Him. God does not require our help. Hence, we can only serve Him. We should look at the world as divine.

Let us now trace the journey that brings a human being into this mind set. Every individual has some basic desires that need fulfilment. The most essential and primitive need is for security. The search for financial security satisfies this deep rooted longing. Having achieved monetary stability, the exploration for pleasure and enjoyment begins. When these desires are satiated or dry up, the mind expresses a desire for goodness. There is a need to share and a desire to be good to others. Thoughts of giving back to society rise in the mind.

Tithing is a port of every religion. The scriptures clearly state that to give back to society is the bounden duty of every individual. It is easy to understand the duty towards the body. Duty towards the family also makes sense, because we see an immediate connection. But there is difficulty in comprehending the concept and need of duty towards society, the nation and the world. The debt owed to these entities is never considered. In times of crisis or war, we remember the sacrifices of the police and army, only to forget them as soon as peace is established. This is only a small example of what we owe the world. only one look around would suffice to become aware of the magnitude of the debt we owe society.

The mind takes a new direction. It now searches for the most appropriate vehicle through which these new thoughts can be channelized. This can be likened to the state when the baby begins to crawl. The next step on the path of being good is to financially assist an individual, cause or organization. This is achieved without much change in life style, but is a significant step up the ladder. Here the baby stands up and surveys the world.

Look around to find a worthy cause. Having identified a cause, the baby stretches out and holds the hand of another. The baby now walks along with the other. The giver is now ready to shift gears and starts to actively work for the cause. It is natural that we give our time to those that we love and care for. At the first stage, we share our material possessions. At this higher stage we are willing to give or share our own time which infinitely more precious to us.

Seva removes the devils of ego, pride, vanity or arrogance. Simultaneously the realization dawns that we should be grateful to the world for having given us a chance to express ourselves and work for its betterment. The attitude with which service is undertaken is of great importance. We must always remember with humility the divinity within which has provided us the opportunity to serve.

There s confusion and mistaken notions about when to give and how much to give. Often people decide to donate their possessions or wealth through a will. This, according to the scriptures, is not seva or charity because in that case the individual has passed on and there is no one to perform the act of sharing or giving. So we should not postpone the act of giving. Giving away old, sometimes even torn clothes cannot be considered as charity because here we are only removing from our lives articles we do not require and have become an irritant. The answer to the second question is – give and give till it hurts!

Social serviced undertaken without understanding can sometimes work to the detriment of those we wish to benefit. Like one little boy came home and told his mother, “Mummy, I helped an elderly man cross the road.” The mother replied, “I am so proud of you. The man must have been happy.” The boy said, “No, actually he was very cross because he did not want to cross the road!” In seva we must be able to completely identify with those we wish to serve.

Even the Bible says that the world will be inherited by the meek, by those who are humble. This may appear paradoxical because generally we feel that the world is inherited by the powerful, by the rich, by the politicians. But here we learn that it will be inherited by the meek and the humble. God will give the earth to them.

True humility is the jewel of evolution. It is the mark of greatness. This alone takes such people to the highest stage when they walk alone blessing the world by their mere presence. This is the highest seva that a human being is capable of. In conclusion, give generously, give without being judgmental, give without pride, give without degrading the other, give with joy, give without holding back. We all have something to give to the world. If nothing, can we not offer a smile from the heart and bring joy?